Slide Cooler

ABSTRACT

A mobile container that is designed to allows a user to easily transport the container through a variety of terrains, such as snow, sand, and pavement. The mobile container includes an insulated container, a first sled-molded runner, a second sled-molded runner, a first wheel, a second wheel, and a convex protrusion. The first sled-molded runner and the second sled-molded runner are positioned parallel and opposite to each other, across the insulated container, and are adjacently connected to a base of the insulated container. The first wheel and the second wheel are laterally and coaxially connected to the insulated container, opposite to each other. The convex protrusion modifies the flow of sand or snow about the insulated container in order to decrease drag. The convex protrusion is positioned opposite the first wheel and the second wheel. Additionally, the convex protrusion is integrated into a front surface of the insulated container.

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patentapplication Ser. No. 62/406,507 filed on Oct. 11, 2016.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to portable beverage and foodcooler.

More specifically, the present invention is a cooler container equippedwith a multitude of mobility features. The present invention includes apair of wheels, a pair of ski-like runners, and a dynamic bottom. Thesefeatures allow the present invention to be easily pulled across sand,snow, pavement, and other various types of terrains.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Although coolers are extremely useful for storing food while away fromelectrical power sources, they are frequently unwieldy to transport overrough terrain, sand or snow. Frequently beach coolers are equipped withwheels that facilitate rolling the cooler over hard surfaces. However,these wheels no longer function when transporting the cooler over sandor even snow. The present invention addresses this issue by having anall in one cooler design without body attachments, with a ski-likemolding on the bottom sides of the cooler and a boat bottom convex typeunder molding or shape. This body design enables the cooler to slideover sand or snow surfaces. In addition, the present invention isequipped with typical wheels which function the same as the wheels of atraditional beach cooler. As a result, the present invention can beeasily transported from a hard surface to sand or snow terrain withoutassistance. The wheels due to their elevated setting become disengagedfrom the ground when in transit over the sand or snow. Traditionally,beach coolers must be carried or even worse and more common, drug fromthe boardwalk to the water's edge or destination because the wheels donot function in the sand. The typical cooler is also shaped in arectangular manner along with square top 7 and bottom square edges. Theuser, due to the weight and square design of the cooler if alone mustattempt to drag through the sand. The square bottom front creates atrench and an unnecessary opposition. The wheels typically become buriedin the sand and are completely nonfunctional for transit. The presentinvention enables users to slide their cooler behind them from theboardwalk to their chosen spot on the beach without any struggles oradded contraptions because of its design; it's an all in one cooler forthe beach terrain.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a right-side view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a left-side view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is perspective view of the present invention with the lid beingpartially opened.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describingselected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limitthe scope of the present invention.

The present invention generally relates to storage containers. Morespecifically, the present invention is a cooler container designed toeasily slide and or roll on a variety of surfaces including, but notlimited to, sand, snow, pavement, and other similar terrains. Thepresent invention utilizes a boat-like bottom in order displace anddistribute terrain particles efficiently and effectively, thus allowingthe present invention to be slid across sand or snow with ease.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, in its simplest embodiment, the presentinvention comprises an insulated container 5, a first sled-molded runner1, a second sled-molded runner 2, a first wheel 3, a second wheel 4, anat least one lid 16, and a convex protrusion 10. The insulated container5 is a thermally insulated receptacle designed to store and transportfood items. The insulated container 5 includes an interior cavity andensures stored items are kept at a specific temperature, regardless ofthe external temperatures. The insulated container 5 is preferably anelongated hollow box composed of thermally insulating material. Theinsulated container 5 may be implemented in a variety of sizes in orderto meet the needs and preferences of the user. Additionally, the presentinvention may further comprise a plurality of dividers. The plurality ofdividers is distributed within the interior cavity and each of theplurality of dividers is integrated into the insulated container 5. Theplurality of dividers split the interior cavity into a multitude ofsubdivisions for additional organizational purposes. Furthermore,referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the insulated container 5 is dynamicallydesigned in order to facilitate the present invention sliding on sand orsnow. A front junction between a base 6 of the insulated container 5 anda front surface 9 of the insulated container 5 is filleted, or roundedin other words. Traditionally, the front junction is a straight cornerthat presses into the terrain and prevents movement. The presentinvention eliminates this obstruction through a boat-like hull design.

Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the first sled-molded runner 1 and thesecond sled-molded runner 2 are each a ski-like member designed to allowthe present invention to easily slide over sand or snow. Morespecifically, the first sled-molded runner 1 and the second sled-moldedrunner 2 are each a flat and elongated support member of a length equalto or less than the length of the insulated container 5. The firstsled-molded runner 1 and the second sled-molded runner 2 are positionedopposite and parallel to each other, similar to a snow sled. The firstsled-molded runner 1 and the second sled-molded runner 2 are adjacentlyconnected to a base 6 of the insulated base 6 to act as the interfaceelements for the surface on which the present invention is placed.Additionally, the first sled-molded runner 1 and the second sled-moldedrunner 2 act as support legs for the present invention. Resultantly, thebase 6 of the insulated container 5 is raised off the ground by thefirst sled-molded runner 1 and the second sled-molded runner 2, thusreducing the amount of surface area in contact with the ground. In thepreferred embodiment, the first sled-molded runner 1, the secondsled-molded runner 2, and the insulated container 5 are manufactured asa single component. This allows for a first junction 17 between thefirst sled-molded runner 1 and the base 6 to be filleted, or rounded.Similarly, this process allows a second junction 18 between the secondsled-molded runner 2 and the base 6 to be filleted, or rounded. Thefirst junction 17 and the second junction 18 reduce stress points andsharp corners, thus reducing overall drag for the present invention. Tofurther ensure there is as little resistance as possible when thepresent invention is being pulled through sand or snow, the firstsled-molded runner 1 and the second sled-molded runner 2 are eachrounded with front surface 9, similar to the front junction.

Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the convex protrusion 10 is a bulge-likeextrusion which allows the present invention to slide on sand or snowrelatively unhindered. The convex protrusion 10 is preferably a convexhull boat shape. The convex protrusion 10 is positioned in between thefirst sled-molded runner 1 and the second sled-molded runner 2.Additionally, the convex protrusion 10 is integrated into the insulatedcontainer 5. The convex protrusion 10, the front junction, the firstsled-molded runner 1, and the second sled-molded runner 2 modify theflow of the present invention through sand or snow. Resultantly, thepresent invention can easily slide along sand, snow, and other similarterrains. In the preferred embodiment, the convex protrusion 10 isintegrated into the front surface 9, adjacent to the front junction.Additionally, the convex protrusion 10 tapers from the base 6 towards atop 7 of the insulated container 5.

The first wheel 3 and the second wheel 4 allow the present invention toroll on level ground, such as pavement. The first wheel 3 and the secondwheel 4 are positioned opposite to the convex protrusion 10, about theinsulated container 5. Similar to traditional designs, the first wheel 3and the second wheel 4 are coaxially positioned opposite to each otheracross the insulated container 5. Additionally, the first wheel 3 andthe second wheel 4 are laterally and rotatably mounted to the insulatedcontainer 5. In particular, the first wheel 3 is positioned to the firstsled-molded runner 1 and the second wheel 4 is positioned adjacent tothe second sled-molded runner 2. The first wheel 3 and the second wheel4 are preferably positioned offset to the base 6 in order to not touchthe ground unless the user tilts the insulated container 5. This ensuresthat the first wheel 3 and the second wheel 4 are only used on pavementand other straight surfaces and do not produce additional drag when thepresent invention is transported over sand or snow.

The insulated container 5 is designed to ensure that when the insulatedcontainer 5 is tilted, that the first wheel 3 and the second wheel 4make contact with the ground and are able to rotate. This is achievedthrough a transition portion 14 in between the base 6 and a rear surface19. The transition portion 14 is the region of the insulated container 5between the base 6 and the rear surface 19 that is preferably convex incurvature, thus creating an overall tapering profile. A shared rotationaxis 15 between the first wheel 3 and the second wheel 4 is positionedadjacent to the transition portion 14 with the shared rotation axis 15being positioned offset to the base 6. This position ensures the firstwheel 3 and the second wheel 4 are marginally offset from the base 6while the present invention is being slid across terrain. When thepresent invention is tilted, the transition portion 14 provides thefirst wheel 3 and the second wheel 4 clearance to contact the ground androtate. Overall, when the insulated container 5 is viewed from the side,the insulated container 5 tapers from the center towards the frontsurface 9 and the rear surface 19.

Referring to FIG. 6, the at least one lid 16 encloses the interiorcavity and seals the insulated container 5. As a result, the internaltemperature of the interior cavity maintains a constant level. The lid16 is perimetrically positioned adjacent to a main opening 8 of theinsulated container 5 and is hingedly attached to the insulatedcontainer 5. Similar to the insulated container 5, the lid 16 iscomposed of thermally insulating material and is sized complimentary tothe main opening 8. A plurality of locking fasteners may be integratedin between the lid 16 and the insulated container 5 in order to lock thelid 16 to the insulated container 5. Additionally, an interior seal maybe integrated in between the lid 16 and the insulating container inorder act as a gasket and prevent air from entering or exiting theinterior cavity. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention,the at least one lid 16 comprises a plurality of sections, wherein theplurality of sections is distributed along the insulated container 5.

In one embodiment, the present invention further comprises a railing 11,a plurality of hooks 12, and a detachable strap 13. The railing 11 is anelongated cylinder that is used as a grasping element for the presentinvention. The railing 11 is positioned in between the base 6 and a top7 of the insulated container 5. Additionally, the railing 11 islaterally connected about the insulated container 5. In particular, therailing 11 laterally circumvents the insulated container 5 in order toprovide the user with a grasping element from all lateral sidewalls ofthe insulated container 5. Furthermore, the railing 11 is positionedadjacent to the top 7 of the insulated container 5 for easier access forthe user. The plurality of hooks 12 and the detachable strap 13 allowthe user to easily transport and pull the present invention. Theplurality of hooks 12 is distributed along the railing 11 with each ofthe plurality of hooks 12 being laterally mounted to the railing 11.Additionally, each of the plurality of hooks 12 is positioned adjacentto the railing 11, opposite the insulated container 5. The detachablestrap 13 is an elastic tether or an elongated cord that allows a user topull the present invention. Additionally, the detachable strap 13 allowsvarious items to be tethered to the present invention. Referring to FIG.6, the detachable strap 13 is tethered to an at least one selected hookfrom the plurality of hooks 12. The detachable strap 13 may be used forvariety of uses. For example, in one embodiment of the presentinvention, the detachable strap 13 may be attached to a harness suchthat the user may utilize his or her full body weight to pull thepresent invention. In another embodiment, the detachable strap 13 may beused to tie done various items to the lid 16.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferredembodiment, it is to be understood that many other possiblemodifications and variations can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

1.-19. (canceled)
 20. A cooler, comprising: an insulated containerhaving wheels with an axis mounted to the insulated container; thecooler has a rest configuration wherein a bottom of the insulatedcontainer is configured to abut an underlying support surface such thatthe wheels do not touch the underlying support surface; and the coolerhas a tilt configuration wherein the insulated container is configuredto be diagonal relative to the underlying support surface such that thewheels contact the underlying support surface.
 21. The cooler of claim20, wherein the wheels are located at a rear of the insulated container.22. The cooler of claim 20, wherein the insulated container comprises abottom with sled runners extending in longitudinal directions alonglateral sides thereof.
 23. The cooler of claim 20, wherein the insulatedcontainer comprises a front with a convex protrusion and a rear with atransition portion.
 24. The cooler of claim 20, further comprisingjunctions extending directly between respective sled runners and aconvex protrusion.
 25. The cooler of claim 24, wherein each junction isan arcuate concave fillet.
 26. The cooler of claim 24, wherein eachjunction extends along a length of a respective sled runner and into atransition portion of the insulated container.
 27. The cooler of claim20, wherein a portion of the insulated container comprises is a boathull shape.
 28. The cooler of claim 20, wherein a portion of theinsulated container is entirely convex from a first junction to a secondjunction.
 29. The cooler of claim 20, wherein a portion of the insulatedcontainer is convex toward a forward direction of the cooler and towarda bottom direction of the cooler, such that the insulated containertapers from a center thereof toward both a front surface and a rearsurface thereof.
 30. A cooler, comprising: an insulated container havinga bottom with sled runners extending in longitudinal directions alonglateral sides thereof, a front with a convex protrusion and a rear witha transition portion; wheels having an axis and mounted to the insulatedcontainer in the transition portion; the cooler has a rest configurationwherein a bottom of the insulated container is configured to abut anunderlying support surface such that the wheels do not touch theunderlying support surface; and the cooler has a tilt configurationwherein the insulated container is configured to be diagonal relative tothe underlying support surface such that the wheels contact theunderlying support surface.
 31. The cooler of claim 30, furthercomprising junctions extending directly between respective ones of thesled runners and the convex protrusion, each junction is an arcuateconcave fillet that extends along a length of a respective sled runnerand into the transition portion.
 32. The cooler of claim 30, wherein theconvex protrusion is a boat hull shape that is entirely convex from thefirst junction to the second junction.
 33. The cooler of claim 30,wherein the convex protrusion is convex toward a forward direction ofthe cooler and toward a bottom direction of the cooler, such that theinsulated container tapers from a center thereof both toward the frontsurface and a rear surface thereof.
 34. The cooler of claim 30, arailing coupled to the insulated container.
 35. The cooler of claim 30,wherein the railing forms a continuous grasping element for all lateralsidewalls of the insulated container.
 36. The cooler of claim 30,wherein the transition portion is both convex and inclined diagonally.37. The cooler of claim 30, further comprising a flexible membertethered to the insulated container for manual manipulation of thecooler.
 38. The cooler of claim 37, wherein the flexible member istethered to a railing of the insulated container.
 39. The cooler ofclaim 30, further comprising a rail mounted to the insulated containerto form a manual grasping element on all lateral sidewalls of theinsulated container.